India has said that human rights should not be used to exert political pressure or selectively target countries. The statement came after more than 20 UN human rights experts expressed concern over the police response to youth-led protests in Delhi and other areas over the past three months.
Barkha Tamrakar, Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, made the statement on India’s behalf at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee on Tuesday during a discussion on enforced disappearances. She said India was committed to engaging with international human rights bodies through dialogue, cooperation, transparency and consultation. She also highlighted India’s constitutional safeguards and independent institutions, and said specific cases supported by proper documentation could be addressed through established channels. India has signed the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
Tamrakar said India opposed attempts to portray the country negatively based on unverified allegations, incomplete statistics or reports that contained no specific observations on India. She called for accountability, transparency and cooperation to prevent enforced disappearances, protect victims’ families and ensure justice. She urged UN delegates to present reports accurately rather than treat humanitarian communications as final judgments.
Meanwhile, more than 20 UN experts alleged a pattern of restrictions on peaceful protests, excessive use of force, arbitrary detention and targeting of student activists. They also raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which they said affects around 130 million people, including members of Muslim, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. Protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student groups have intensified since late September, with demands for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and a halt to the SIR exercise.
